Shuangxi Ancient Village in Yizhang, Hunan

Located in Guanxi Township, Yizhang County, Shuangxi Yujia Village is nestled in southern Hunan with picturesque scenery and a beautiful environment. This forward-thinking village, established over 300 years ago, has pioneered many firsts in Yizhang and even Chenzhou. Also known as Zengjialiao, the village's name reflects its origins—a simple duck herders' shelter built by the Zeng family. The Yu ancestors, upon selecting this site during the Qing Dynasty's Xianfeng era, meticulously planned for a grand village from the very first house. They centered the layout around a grand ancestral hall, aligning rows north-south and lines east-west, creating a striking visual symmetry spanning hundreds of meters. Flagstone-paved pathways and uniform drainage systems surround each identically styled home of black-tiled roofs and carved beams. Before 1949, guarded gates sealed every pathway at night for security. In 2019, Shuangxi Village was listed in China's fifth batch of Traditional Villages.